Personalized Compounded Medications for You & Your Pets

Yes, compounded medications require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.

Coverage varies—some insurance plans reimburse for compounded medications, while others do not. Patients may pay out of pocket, but can also use HSA/FSA funds.

Yes, compounded medications are typically HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) eligible as long as they are prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider and are medically necessary. However, it’s always a good idea for patients to check with their HSA/FSA provider to confirm coverage, as some plans may have specific requirements or exclusions.

Absolutely! Compounded medications, especially for children and pets, can be flavored to make them easier to take.

Yes! Veterinary compounding helps customize medications for pets with unique dosing or formulation needs. We proudly serve pet owners across Williamsburg, Yorktown, Newport News, and the surrounding areas.

Animal patients make up almost 40% of our compounded medications!

It depends on the complexity, but most compounded prescriptions take 24-72 hours to prepare.

No, compounded medications are not less effective when prepared correctly by a licensed compounding pharmacy.

In fact, they can be more effective for some patients because they are customized to their specific needs. Since compounding allows for personalized dosing, alternative delivery forms (such as creams, liquids, or troches), and the removal of allergens or unnecessary additives, it can improve medication tolerance and adherence, leading to better therapeutic outcomes. 

However, because compounded medications are made in small batches rather than mass-produced, they do not go through the same large-scale FDA approval process as commercial drugs. This makes it important for patients to choose a reputable pharmacy like Williamsburg Drug Company that follows strict compounding standards with PCAB accreditation.

Compounding is allowed for medications that are:

✔ Prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider for an individual patient.
✔ Not commercially available in the required form, strength, or combination.
✔ Safe and stable when compounded (some drugs degrade quickly or lose effectiveness).
✔ Permitted by law – certain medications (especially controlled substances) may have additional restrictions.

Some drugs may have chemical properties that make them unsuitable for compounding.

Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved because they are custom-made for individual patients and not mass-produced for commercial sale. However, the ingredients used in compounding are often FDA-approved, and our compounding pharmacy follows VERY strict USP (United States Pharmacopeia) guidelines to ensure quality, safety, and efficacy.

While the FDA does not regulate individual compounded medications, it does oversee outsourcing facilities that produce larger batches of compounded drugs under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Traditional compounding pharmacies operate under Section 503A, meaning they compound based on specific patient prescriptions and are regulated by state boards of pharmacy.

The shelf life of compounded medications varies depending on the drug, formulation, and storage conditions. Unlike mass-produced medications with long expiration dates, compounded drugs have beyond-use dates (BUDs) based on stability and safety guidelines. 

Since compounded medications don’t undergo the same long-term stability testing as commercial drugs, pharmacists determine BUDs based on USP <795> (non-sterile) and USP <797> (sterile) guidelines. To ensure effectiveness and safety, always follow storage instructions (e.g., refrigeration if needed) and use the medication before its BUD.